Pacquiao leads UNA senatorial slate; Sotto, Lacson, Gordon also included

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) yesterday announced the party’s senatorial line up led by the highly popular eight division world boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

The UNA slate is similar to the sixsix mix of the Liberal Party senatorial slate, both graced by guest candidates.

In a press statement, UNA president and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said the opposition party’s senatorial team is one with the Binay-Honasan (BINGO) tandem in addressing poverty, hunger and unemployment under a competent, compassionate and healing government.

Aside from Pacquiao, UNA members in the team are retired police Director Getulio Napenas, former head of the Special Action Force (SAF); Paranaque Councilor Alma Moreno; Sulu Sultanate Princess Jacel Kiram, broadcast journalist Rey Langit and labor lawyer Allan Montano.

The six guest candidates are reelectionist Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III; former senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Richard “Dick” Gordon, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and OFW advocate Susan “Toots” Ople.

“The composition of UNA’s senatorial lineup is illustrated by each candidate’s personal advocacies and the legislative agenda their respective organizations would advance in the Senate,” said Tiangco.

Tiangco pointed out that UNA’s senatorial candidates are unified with the social programs of Binay and Honasan and are one with the party’s initiatives to help the poor.

Pacquiao, Sotto, Gordon and Lacson are among the UNA senate bets who have strong chances of making it the magic 12 based on results of poll surveys.

On the other hand, Pacquiao is joined by Ople and Kiram in getting huge support from OFWs and members of their family. The three are advocates of OFW welfare.

“We are proud to say all UNA senatoriables are committed to pursue worthy priorities in the legislature,” said Tiangco.

“They share the same vision with Vice President Binay of a pro-poor and reform-oriented legislative agenda that would advance a responsible and transparent governance, create more job opportunities for the Filipino workforce; address our kababayan’s need for responsive health, education, and other social services, uphold the rights and welfare of women and children, persons with disabilities and OFWs; improve peace and order, fast track the delivery of government services, be energy-independent by 2020 and attract more investments,” Tiangco said.